How to apply

The FiPL Programme is designed to support land owners and managers within National Parks and National Landscapes. Projects are one-offs, rather than on-going agri-environment schemes, must deliver FiPL Outcomes and work towards the aims and targets of the Exmoor National Park Management Plan

Applicants for the funding must be managing all the land in the application and have control of the activities they’d like to undertake, or have written consent from all parties who have this management and control. Other organisations and individuals were also welcomed to apply, as long as they do this in collaboration with a farmer or land manager, or in support of a farmer or group of farmers.

Common land is eligible for support through the programme. Applications can be made as either a landowner with sole rights, or as a group of commoners acting together.

Nature

• On farm projects to enhance, restore and create wildlife rich priority habitats   - for example ponds and scrapes, species rich grasslands, orchards, woodland corridors, peatland and wood pasture.
• Collaborative landowner projects that deliver water and/or air quality improvements, ‘slow the flow’ interventions to reduce run off or improve riparian habitats.
• Management and restoration of habitats for priority and threatened species for Exmoor such as Pine Marten, Water Vole, Marsh Fritillary
• Baseline ecological surveys and management plans to inform farmland habitat restoration
• Projects controlling non native invasive species
• Tree planting projects that do not fit into EWCO/SFI/capital grants programmes

Climate

• Water management such as rainwater harvesting, creating features to slow the flow of water into watercourses with leaky dams, scrapes etc.

• Tree and hedge planting for carbon sequestration and in field trees/wood pasture for livestock shade and shelter.
• Improving soil health by encouraging changes to grazing management to build soil carbon, increasing water filtration water holding capacity

People

• Projects to encourage and secure the traditions and skills of Exmoor farmland and commons including support for upskilling and disseminating latest technical and practical knowledge and skills.
• Access and rights of way improvements across the National Park. Opening new permissive access and fully accessible paths. Creation of accessible facilities to enable access for all.
• Community volunteering projects delivering nature and climate outcomes, social prescribing and local engagement.

Place

• Conserve and enhance landscape character through restoration and management of characteristic and historic Exmoor features, including at risk heritage features, orchards, water meadows, leats and ponds.
• Projects that work to enhance Exmoor’s certified International Dark Skies Reserve status

One-off projects must deliver FiPL Outcomes and work towards the aims and targets of the Exmoor National Park Management Plan

Please get in touch with our FIPL team if you have a one-off project idea or would like to find out more: email conservation@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk

We recommend speaking to a FiPL Officer prior to submitting an application. They can help you develop your application to achieve the best project for your business whilst meeting ENPA Management plan priorities.

The FiPL team will:

• Consider if a project should be funded by another source (SFI, CS capital works, FETF, etc)- they will signpost you to those funding opportunities
• Work with you to develop a project which meets your objectives and FiPL programme outcomes
• Consult with Local Natural Recovery Strategies, Natural and Historic Environment Records and ENPA Partnership Plan ambitions to ensure your project helps support national Environment Improvement Plan targets
• Consult with ecology, historic environment, learning and engagement, woodland, landscape and access colleagues and specialists to deliver the best project possible
• Maintain active communication throughout all stages of project development, submission, agreement and claim processes.

If you are ready to apply please complete the Application form and cost table, check the application checklist and return all documents to us via email conservation@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or by post to Farming in Protected Landscapes Team, Exmoor National Park Authority, Exmoor House, Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9HL

Farming in Protected Landscapes is a programme of funding for one-off projects, not an ongoing agri-environment scheme. It will support farmers and land managers to carry out projects that:

• support nature
• mitigate the impacts of climate change
• provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage
• support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses

For example, the programme might support:

• promoting connectivity between habitats
• replacing stiles with gates on public footpaths, to promote easier access
• conserving historic features on a farm, such as lime kilns or mining heritage
• action to reduce carbon emissions on a farm
• gathering data and evidence to help inform conservation and farming practice

If you would like us to help advise you, prior to completing an application please email conservation@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk

Useful Documents

Guidance for Applicants

Application Checklist

Data Protection Privacy Notice (FiPL)

Future Farming (blog.gov.uk)

Exmoor Management Plan Priorities

Farming in Protected Landscapes  Project Costs Table

Application Form Annex B: Not Registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) Form